Muhler
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2010
- Messages
- 17,432
- City
- Eastern Jutland
- Country
- Denmark
This was one of the best days of his life for Christian X. The return of Northern Slesvig to Denmark in 1920. While Southern Schleswig remained in Germany.
The reunification took part after a referendum. Ironically had that referendum taken place in 1864, instead of the Second Schleswigan War, the border would have gone almost exactly where it went in 1920. The only major exception being that the now German town of Flensburg would have been Danish.
Anyway, the Allies, well some of them, mainly France, called for countries neighboring Germany to claim lands from Germany after WWI. The aim being to weaken Germany as much as possible. DK among other countries declined the offer, which would have meant that all of Schleswig/Slesvig and perhaps Holstein/Holsten as well would have become Danish. The reason being that we didn't want a very sizable German minority within the Danish realm. A minority where the vast majority were not likely to be happy about changing nationality!
So instead a referendum took place. The Danish majority in Norther Slesvig made sure they returned to DK, while the German majority in Southern Schleswig made sure they remained German. At the same time it was more or less agreed that minorities in both countries would be treated well, being among other things allowed to keep their schools and speak their language.
In fact that likely resulted in Nazi-Germany not annexing Northern Slesvig after the Occupation of DK in 1940. The 1920 border was respected.
The white horse King Christian X rode, wasn't actually that white. So it was painted here and there as befitting a heroic and dashing king. The horse was not used to Christian X and the jubilant crowd, so it was pretty lively but Christian X was a very good rider.
At some point he scooped a six year old girl up and placed in front of her on the horse, that made a very famous picture of him, making the whole PR-success even bigger. Not that I for a moment believe Christian X as the no-nonsense man he was, would care about that. He was simply caught up in the mood. Anyway, the girl wasn't that happy about getting a ride and she was soon reunited with her mother. But Christian X stayed in contact with the girl and her parents for the rest of his life exchanging letters.
The reunification took part after a referendum. Ironically had that referendum taken place in 1864, instead of the Second Schleswigan War, the border would have gone almost exactly where it went in 1920. The only major exception being that the now German town of Flensburg would have been Danish.
Anyway, the Allies, well some of them, mainly France, called for countries neighboring Germany to claim lands from Germany after WWI. The aim being to weaken Germany as much as possible. DK among other countries declined the offer, which would have meant that all of Schleswig/Slesvig and perhaps Holstein/Holsten as well would have become Danish. The reason being that we didn't want a very sizable German minority within the Danish realm. A minority where the vast majority were not likely to be happy about changing nationality!
So instead a referendum took place. The Danish majority in Norther Slesvig made sure they returned to DK, while the German majority in Southern Schleswig made sure they remained German. At the same time it was more or less agreed that minorities in both countries would be treated well, being among other things allowed to keep their schools and speak their language.
In fact that likely resulted in Nazi-Germany not annexing Northern Slesvig after the Occupation of DK in 1940. The 1920 border was respected.
The white horse King Christian X rode, wasn't actually that white. So it was painted here and there as befitting a heroic and dashing king. The horse was not used to Christian X and the jubilant crowd, so it was pretty lively but Christian X was a very good rider.
At some point he scooped a six year old girl up and placed in front of her on the horse, that made a very famous picture of him, making the whole PR-success even bigger. Not that I for a moment believe Christian X as the no-nonsense man he was, would care about that. He was simply caught up in the mood. Anyway, the girl wasn't that happy about getting a ride and she was soon reunited with her mother. But Christian X stayed in contact with the girl and her parents for the rest of his life exchanging letters.
